<p>I wanted to get some input on why some people chose Brown over other great schools that may have offered admission to them(any other Ivy/any other top school). Although these are two completely different areas of study, I am looking into completing a pre-med major or an international relations major. I’m a rising senior in high school. I would greatly appreciate any comments because they will help me decide on whether or not I should apply depending on if Brown is a good fit for what I want to study.</p>
<p>Amongst the top schools for pre-med there isn’t going to be much of a difference in terms of your education or med school placement. Same goes for IR, although you’ll see some people have different opinions on the matter. Some will cite Harvard and Columbia’s grad school strength in the area, but I would argue that Brown, Princeton, and Dartmouth’s special programs and undergrad focus/ opportunities are even more valuable. In many ways its about the social fit, the differences at the top level for your path are going to be pretty minor.</p>
<p>Brown has the open curriculum - which sets it apart from the other ivies. I personally really liked the setting ( not a huge city, but not in the middle of no where either). Also, Brown and Dartmouth are the only ivies that have an undergraduate focus… (but dartmouth is in NH )
And, Esp for IR - Brown is great – They have the Watson Institute for International Studies which is highly ranked…</p>
<p>If you’re interested in medical school, pick up a copy of the MSAR. Id go for the most recent, but a year out shouldn’t be too different. It’s a comp of all accredited med schools including the islands and Canada with each schools requirements and other info. It’s a must-have.</p>
<p>I worked at one of the campus eateries with a graduating senior who concentrated in IR - she didn’t have very rave reviews. Said the advising was very poor and that the department was in general rather disorganized due to restructuring/being relatively new/being in a new (albeit absolutely beautiful) building. Those problems might be sorted out by the time you’re at Brown, and maybe they were thoughts of one student which don’t at all reflect the sentiment of the majority, but it’s something to keep in mind and that has made me wary.</p>
<p>Many of the IR changes have now gone into effect, which should help stability in the future, but I know it was the cause of frustration for many current IR concentrators.</p>